Courses

Professional Development Courses for Equity-Focused Educators

Built in collaboration with leading experts in education, our online courses within the Partners in School Innovation Community focus on equity work and provide curated activities, opportunities to practice, and space for reflection. They are available on demand and can be self-paced or taken with a cohort.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "Let's Talk About Race"

Course: Let’s Talk about Race

Gain foundational knowledge on the impact of racial dynamics on students’ experiences, along with practical tools to foster equity and drive meaningful change in schools and districts. Enroll to:

  • Access tools and resources that support ongoing learning and conversations about race and equity

  • Learn methods for facilitating honest discussions about race and equity

  • Connect with a network of change agents who are also focused on equity-driven improvements in their institutions

This course is ideal for: Educators, school leaders, and staff who wish to actively participate in creating equitable educational environments and are ready to engage in and lead conversations about race.

Why this course is important: Facilitating honest discussions about how racism affects educational equality and outcomes is a critical step toward creating a more just and inclusive education system.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "Leading Improvement Cycles"

Course: Leading Improvement Cycles

Learn how to develop and use effective improvement plans that address inequities through continuous improvement, using data and team collaboration. Enroll to:

  • Create and execute collaborative plans that close opportunity gaps

  • Understand the Results-Oriented Cycle of Inquiry (ROCI) and how to use it to address key challenges

  • Receive practical frameworks for diagnosing problems, planning interventions, and measuring outcomes

This course is ideal for: Teacher leaders, administrators, coaches, and support providers eager to lead systemic change through focused, data-driven actions.

Why this course is important: With the right tools, implementing strategy can more effectively improve student outcomes and tackle systemic inequities.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "The Role of Change Agents"

Course: The Role of Change Agents

Understand and develop the essential characteristics of a change agent, someone who drives transformative, equity-focused changes in education. Enroll to:

  • Discover the key skills, mindsets, and leadership abilities needed to lead and maintain improvements in your school or district

  • Build a toolkit of proven strategies for initiating and leading successful improvement plans

  • Enhance your skills as a leader that builds a network of other change agents

This course is ideal for: Educators or educational leaders who aspire to effect systemic change within their schools or districts.

Why this course is important: Educators can more readily work towards transforming under-resourced schools into thriving, equitable educational systems through focused professional development.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "Reflect with Intention"

Course: Reflect with Intention

Using insights and data, learn how to reflect on your practices and the broader educational landscape and guide your school community towards positive change and equitable practices. Enroll to:

  • Develop a systematic approach to identifying areas for personal growth and system-wide change

  • Learn to leverage reflection for strategic planning, ensuring your actions consistently align with your values and goals

  • Understand how to assess and adjust your strategies to meet the diverse needs of your teachers and students

This course is ideal for: Educators at any level who want to reflect and adapt in their roles. It's also great for those looking to maintain their energy and effectiveness all year long.

Why this course is important: Reflection is a powerful practice for educators to maintain a clear focus on their goals and the needs of students.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "Using Stories to Drive Change"

Course: Using Stories to Drive Change

Learn how to create and share school and district narratives of improvement, success, and equity-focused work by developing crucial storytelling skills. Enroll to:

  • Access frameworks for crafting stories that showcase your school's journey towards improvement and equity

  • Discover strategies to engage diverse voices in storytelling, ensuring inclusivity and relevance

  • Receive guidance on identifying and using a variety of data to enhance stories and increase impact

This course is ideal for: Educators, school leaders, and administrative staff committed to fostering change and improving student outcomes through enhanced communication.

Why this course is important: Well-crafted stories are powerful tools for educators to showcase their progress, spark change, and inspire action towards education reform.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "Data for Liberation"

Course: Data for Liberation

Rethink the traditional use of data and understand how to use it as a powerful tool to address systemic inequities in education. Enroll to:

  • Gain practical ways to use data to identify and tackle educational disparities effectively

  • Learn techniques to analyze and interpret data through an equity lens

  • Access tools and resources that redefine how data can be used in educational settings

This course is ideal for: Educators and school leaders who want to ensure that their data practices support rather than hinder their equity efforts and who want to use data thoughtfully to inspire change.

Why this course is important: Challenging and reshaping how data is used in education is important for dismantling systemic barriers and promoting equity.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "Drop Everything and Listen"

Course: Drop Everything and Listen

Uncover how you as an educator can prioritize the most important voices in education—those of the students. Through expert guidance and practical exercises, participants will learn how to adjust their interactions with students to lead meaningful change. Enroll to:

  • Discover practical strategies and examples for incorporating student feedback into daily teaching practices

  • Gain access to tools and techniques for building an inclusive environment where every student feels heard and valued

  • Learn how to use empathetic listening to enhance student voices and improve classroom dynamics

This course is ideal for: Educators, school leaders, and educational stakeholders looking to improve student engagement and influence through focused listening and empathy.

Why this course is important: Empowering student voices is key to breaking down traditional power structures in education and fostering a culture of empathy and inclusivity.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "Change Management"

Course: Change Management

Learn to manage complex changes in schools and gain the skills to handle resistance and emotional challenges when leading a change. Enroll to:

  • Understand and apply change management frameworks in educational settings

  • Use data strategically to overcome obstacles, support equity initiatives, and justify changes

  • Facilitate effective change and navigate the complexities of school transformation

This course is ideal for: School leaders, educators, and change agents looking to effectively manage and lead significant, data-driven changes in educational settings.

Why this course is important: Understanding the complexities of change management will help educators lead sustainable, equity-driven transformations in schools and districts.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "From Root Causes to Grassroots Action"

Course: From Root Causes to Grassroots Action

Sharpen skills crucial to your commitment to tackling systemic inequities at their core. Explore the root causes behind educational disparities, and gain the tools and insights to initiate solutions that engage your school community. Enroll to:

  • Learn how to do a root cause analysis to uncover the reasons behind educational disparities

  • Engage diverse voices in meaningful ways to ensure inclusive problem-solving

  • Understand how to lead grassroots actions for lasting educational improvement

This course is ideal for: Educators, school leaders, and stakeholders eager to drive systemic change through deeper insight and active community involvement.

Why this course is important: Gain insights and tools to not just understand but actively address educational disparities, ensuring your equity efforts are deeply informed and community-driven.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course "The Power of an ILT".

Course: The Power of an ILT (Instructional Leadership Team)

Understand the role of an Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), explore the ways by which you can cultivate a high-functioning team at your site, and develop your vision to lead transformation efforts. Enroll to:

  • Understand how to connect with other change agents at your site who are looking to have an impact

  • Know how to develop equity-centered change agents who are equipped appropriately to contribute to an ILT

  • Learn the mindsets, dispositions, skills, and leadership competencies needed for an effective ILT

This course is ideal for: Education leaders - teacher-leaders, administrators, coaches, support providers - who are interested in learning what makes an effective instructional leadership team and how to build one at their own site.

Why this course is important: ILTs can be a powerful driver of school transformation in service of equity when developed to operate effectively and with purpose. Few people have guidance during creation so this course can serve that role.

Blue graphic with translucent wavy shapes at bottom. Icon of an open laptop with a lightbulb on screen at top, logo of Partners in School Innovation at bottom. Text is for the online Community course and reads "Classroom Walkthroughs"

Course: Classroom Walkthroughs

Learn how to use classroom walkthroughs effectively as powerful school transformation tools that strengthen trust among staff, promote shared leadership, and support continuous professional development. Enroll to:

  • Appreciate and be able to explain the value of classroom walkthroughs

  • Set up repeatable and reliable systems at your school site to see classrooms in action

  • Know how to get the most actionable insights and perspective out of every visit

This course is ideal for: Education leaders - teacher-leaders, administrators, coaches, support providers - who are interested in using classroom walkthroughs as a tool for improving instructional practices, fostering collaboration, and driving continuous school improvement.

Why this course is important: Effective classroom walkthroughs provide a non-evaluative, low-pressure environment for teachers and administrators to observe, learn, and share feedback, helping improve classroom instruction and transform schools without the stress of formal assessments.

  • Headshot of Trendha Hunter

    “[Data for Liberation] was a great foundational course in understanding how to shift mindsets of people who engage with data at any level to understanding the power they have in data collection, data analysis, and storytelling…

    I particularly loved the focus on telling stories which move away from deficit thinking and being more rigorous in our evaluation to ensure equity.

    The multimedia resources were well placed and curated well - I can't wait to share this course with the research and data analysts at my organization.”

    — Trendha Hunter, Chief of Staff, Bank Street Education Center

  • Headshot of Deanna Elzey

    “I partnered with Partners to develop a custom course for our team, and it exceeded all expectations. The module provided invaluable insights into team dynamics and effective leadership practices. The high quality content was exceptionally user-friendly, allowing us to engage deeply.

    We're eagerly looking forward to more courses like this one, as it has truly enriched our leadership capabilities. Understanding how to deeply support our staff as they navigate the complexities of teaching and learning is crucial for improving outcomes for our students.”

    — Deanna Elzey, Principal, Joseph Weller Elementary School